Newbie buying a 90's Roadmaster ?

All valid questions, but just about every 15 year old Roadie is going to have these types of questions. Some things to consider, in 1996 GM started using Dex-Cool for coolant which caused a few problems for a few years with cooling systems. This stuff destroyed engine gaskets, and clogged up smaller passages, and it looked nasty after a while on top of it. This MIGHT explain the new rad. and water pump.

Trans. and shocks are a different story, and it might be a good one, maybe they are all related. The car looks nice in pics. and NJ. cars are not that bad.

You know the drill, get more pics. talk to the guy if possible, and if you know anyone in NJ. ask them to take a look at the car for you. Oh, and make sure that it didn't take a bath.

Mike

 

Yeah Mike, I'll bring a towel.

That coolant sure doesn't sound like a smart move by GM when they had countless engineers to test products. It would explain the radiator change. All gummed up inside the fins? I may be taking another trip in which case it would be smart to take a gander. However I'm done for now going long distances on wild goose chases. You've got to learn one day, and trust destiny to bring one closer by if your name is on it.

Vic

 

Pictures don't show everything

Well, my resistance broke down and I contacted the seller from that last ad. It spent the first 11 years of its life in Rochester NY before being "imported" to New Jersey. Here's the seller's reply to my inquiry about rust:

"The car has some rust in the tailgate area.There are some rust spots on the doors.The 1/4's look good.If you are looking for a rust free mint car this one is not for you.It is a nice daily driver but it not a museum piece."

I sort of guessed it wasn't a museum piece, but there are some wagons out there selliing for close to six thousand dollars which aren't rusted. I guess he feels the miles are what matters and the body rotting away isn't important. Has he ever tried to fix rust? I doubt it, or his asking would be quite different.

Vic

 

Sorry Vic, I'll keep looking. An acquaintance of mine is selling his White w/wood '95 RMW. The car is in Spencerport, NY. now but it was from Dallas TX. Not mint, but pretty nice.
http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1855113634.html

http://gmlongroof.4umer.com/cars-for-sale-f8/fs-1995-white-buick-roadmaster-estate-t1413.htm

The car will be at WF in Geneva NY. This Sat. (7/31). Come check it out. There will be a lot of informative and knowledgeable guys there with a bunch
of different style wagons. Mostly '91-'96 GM B body wagons.

Mike

 

Wagonfest

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the invite! I will try to make it at least for Saturday morning on our way to Winnipeg (you guessed... a vintage muscle car competing for my Longroof budget). You can't say I won't travel for a glimpse of heaven.

The way I see it, there will be a longroof for us one day, it just has to come at the right time and place. I think that seeing them in all shapes and sizes at the Wagonfest will at least get my wife and kids sorted out on those they prefer. But in the longrun, we'll find our Longroof breed of road magic.

Vic

 

When will you be in the 'peg?

 

If you're going to be in the neighbourhood this one might be worth looking at, if it suits your fancy:
http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca/c-cars-ve...Country-Squire-Wagon-Wagon-W0QQAdIdZ211887357

And this T&C is still looking for a new home;
http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca/c-cars-ve...-safetied-Awesome-hot-rod-W0QQAdIdZ219139370#

 

After trip down South, trip up North

Hi Andy,

I'm contacting a seller and will know fairly soon. I think it would be around Sunday evening, although I'm not sure yet.

Just saw you're way up there - cool !

I'll PM you once I know details.

Vic
Latitudinal Car Buyer

 

Longroofs GALORE !

Hi Andy,

Looks like Winnipeg isn't happening at this time. The seller says the car needs a ground up restoration and isn't drivable, also he told me that it was too long a drive and NOT TO COME. Funny when seller's beat you away from buying their car.

But I'll try to make it to Wagonfest, even if I am forced to show up in a lowly SHORTROOF, the trusty grey blue Towncar.

I'm sure my wife is going to fall for the Roadies.

Vic

PS. I think Mike and Siilverfox plan to attend? If anyone can let me know where it will be in Waterloo I'd much appreciate. Meanwhile I'll try to find out in the other longroof forum.

 

Vic,

Wagon Fest is at the Seneca State park in Geneva, NY. right on the north end of Seneca Lake. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/125/getting-there.aspx

Hope to see you there Vic. Tom (silverfox103), and Ian (A1AWind) are here.
Call me if you need more assistance.

Mike

 

Wagon Fest: The Mount Olympus of Roadies !

WoW that was some genuine WAGON HEAVEN at the Lake Seneca State Park!


And thanks to Mike we got to hear what a rumble they can make with euro exhaust.



My son said: "But Dad, the one you drove in Florida didn't sound like that!"


To which I explained that its elderly owner was watching me closely from the passenger seat and we were limping it with an A/C compressor knock to the dealership for a checkup.


It took the roar of 200OZ Mike's wild ride to awaken him to the fact that these are actually STEALTH MUSCLE CARS.



Had a good talk with Ian all about his custom wood Tiki trim paint which looks great, I'm sure he'd help others here with his ingenious know how.


Doug showed me his incredible crispy light blue delete sweetness on wheels, and there were some pretty wild cars fitted with everything from custom skirts and rubberless rails to fifties retro wheels and nitro boosts for rocket launched wagon runs.


So we're back on track to find a rust free wood delete Roadmaster, hopefully with lower miles and leather. I'm giving myself some time ahead to find one, maybe within the next year, not pushing for it to happen soon: the Wagon Fest proved that it is better to await the right one than to try to second guess fate and make things happen on command.


Thanks guys for all your help and advice, and see you in the threads and maybe with a proper Longroof at the next Wagon Fest!


Vic and family

 

Vic,

It was nice to meet you and your family, I'm glad you made it to WF'10.
I hope the visit gave you some incite and ideas. I will keep looking for a '94-'96 WB4 (wood delete) Roadie for you.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1877042683.html

So far away, but very nice.

Mike

 

Vic,

It's a sickness! I can't stop myself.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1832442384.html

 

LOL.....that California Roadkie has been around for awhile now. I never posted it because I was afraid Vic would pack up and head out there.

 

Somewhere there must be pix from wagonfest. Enlighten me.